Estate of H. Thomas and Mary Beck Donates $10 Million to the TSO
Introducing Our New Orchestra Members
FALL 2019
Incoming Music Director Gustavo Gimeno and TSO musicians receive applause following the performance of Gimeno Conducts Daphnis et Chloé on October 9, 2019 TSO NOTEworthy • Fall 2019 • page 1
Orchestra Librarian Quiz
Fall 2019 1
Message from the Chief Executive Officer
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Estate of H. Thomas and Mary Beck Donates $10 Million to the TSO
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2019/20 Season Highlights
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Introducing Our New Orchestra Members
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Fall with the TSYO
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Orchestra Librarian Quiz
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Donor Spotlight
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Bravo to Our Partners
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Upcoming Events
Design Egg Design
Photography cover & pg. 1: Jag Gundu pg. 3: Stuart Lowe pg. 4: Dario Acosta (Sir Andrew Davis photo), Marco Borggreve (Gustavo Gimeno photo), Malcolm Cook (Peter Oundjian photo) pg. 5: Chris Lee (Rémi Pelletier photo) pg. 7: Christopher Wahl
Maestro Gimeno will make his next appearance with the TSO on April 8, 9, and 11, conducting Gimeno, Yuja Wang & Brahms.
Noteworthy is distributed free of charge to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s donor community. Charitable Reg. No. 10525 5335 RR0001
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Message from the Chief Executive Officer
Photo by Marco Borggreve
On a personal note I’ve recently completed my first year at the TSO, and I grow more enthusiastic and proud of my association with this Orchestra as each day goes by. The 2019/20 season thus far has seen moments of artistic triumph matched with celebrations of generosity and financial progress. It remains a great privilege for me to be involved in these milestones, and to have the opportunity to thank the TSO community for its steadfast support and patronage of this legacy orchestra.
We kicked off our 98th season with a truly unique experience: Soprano Barbara Hannigan and violinist John Storgårds shared the bill, not only as soloists, but also as conductors. They thrilled audiences by swapping roles halfway through the concert. A Dynamic Duo indeed! The following week was no less impressive when Donald Runnicles returned to the podium for our Romantic Brahms performances, including the unforgettable and moving Strauss Oboe Concerto with our very own Principal Oboe, Sarah Jeffrey, as soloist. Programs like these demonstrate the superlative talents of our musicians and collaborators and set the tone for what you can expect to experience at the TSO—extraordinary artistry, a feast for the senses, and deeply satisfying performances night after night. Also still fresh in my mind are Gustavo Gimeno’s Daphnis et Chloé concerts last month, which gave us all another chance to hear the
remarkable musical partnership our incoming Music Director shares with the musicians of the TSO. The concerts were riveting, the press was full of accolades, and our many fantastic patrons held us in the hall with extended ovations. Gustavo’s leadership heralds a forward-leaning energy and spirit that are infectious, promising many magical moments to come once he takes the helm officially in 2020/21. The week we spent with Gustavo in October was memorable on another front. On October 10, I was honoured to announce a gift to the TSO of $10 million from the estate of long-standing supporters and patrons Tom and Mary Beck. The gift is the largest single donation in the Orchestra’s history, and brings the lifetime giving of the Beck family to the TSO to over $20 million. I am delighted to be sharing this news with you, and on behalf of the entire TSO community, I offer our profound thanks. I encourage you to read the story in the following pages to learn more about the depth of the Beck TSO NOTEworthy • Fall 2019 • page 1
family’s history with the TSO, and the immense impact of their dedication and support. I am so grateful to all of our generous patrons who give to the TSO each season through their time, treasure, and efforts. Your dedication makes what we do possible. I’m ready to help lead this special organization into our next chapter, including our 100th season in 2021/22. I believe we have an opportunity to build a deeper connection to Toronto, and to represent even more broadly the superb quality of music-making this ensemble can achieve. I am looking forward to what is to come and to having you with us at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra again soon, to share in the timeless experience and power of music.
Matthew Loden Chief Executive Officer
Estate of H. Thomas and Mary Beck Donates $10 Million to the TSO
The TSO is profoundly grateful to the Beck family for their incredible generosity This historic $10-million gift from the Estate of H. Thomas and Mary Beck has an impact that is immediate and lasting.
Motivated by a deep desire to share the joy that music brought to them, their wish was to inspire others and have their support help build a passionate and growing community of music lovers around the Orchestra. The Becks’ support ensures continued bold artistic programing in the coming seasons, as well as investments in education, community engagement, and audience development, which are vital to the mission of the TSO. In accordance with the wishes of the family, the gift has been directed toward the support of key artistic initiatives over the coming years, as well as important financial objectives including the reduction of the accumulated deficit and growing the Toronto Symphony Foundation endowment. Tom and Mary Beck previously made a $3.5-million donation in June 2008 to the Toronto Symphony Foundation, establishing the Tom Beck Concertmaster Chair. $1.5 million of the gift from their estate will be directed toward growing the endowment for the Chair position, which has been held by Jonathan Crow since 2011.
In addition to their generous donations over the years, the Becks showed their love of the symphony with their time and energy. Tom, who passed away in 2015, sat on the Board of Directors for 22 years, and served as Chair in the early 80s. Mary, who passed away last year, was a constant and supportive presence, beloved by the musicians. Both Tom and Mary welcomed TSO musicians into their lives with warmth and grace. The family legacy lives on through their children, Anthony, Liddy, and Cathy. Currently Chair of the TSO Board, Cathy Beck has served as a Director since 2015. Tom and Mary Beck’s extraordinary relationship with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra will continue to resonate for years to come. We have all benefited from their unwavering commitment to the TSO and its vital place in our lives. Tom and Mary Beck were proud of their chosen home and their ability to play a part in ensuring it would be a vibrant place well into the future. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is proud to honour them for their years of friendship and generosity.
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“Tom and Mary Beck were the kind of friends and supporters that every arts organization dreams of,” says Sir Andrew Davis, the TSO’s Interim Artistic Director. “They loved the music of the Toronto Symphony passionately and believed that what it gave and continues to give to Toronto and the world is no mere luxury but rather a vital part of the fabric of life.”
October 10 gift announcement and post-concert event with members of the Orchestra.
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2019/20 Season Highlights
The TSO’s current season focuses on the convergence of the past, present, and future This season is built on a core of symphonic touchstones, featuring the presence of current, former, and upcoming artistic leaders on the podium.
Interim Artistic Director Sir Andrew Davis
Incoming Music Director Gustavo Gimeno
Sir Andrew Davis leads the TSO for six weeks this season. This month, Davis led the Orchestra’s tour to Ottawa and Montreal, and brought Jules Massenet’s opera Thaïs to the stage in a concert version that was recorded live by Chandos Records for a later release. In his season finale as Interim Artistic Director, Davis will hearken back to “where it all started,” as an organ scholar at King’s College, Cambridge, with a performance of Saint-Saëns’s Symphony No. 3, featuring Davis doing double duty, conducting and playing the organ. Davis will also lead the Orchestra in a performance of his own work, La Serenissima (June 17, 20 & 21, 2020).
Former Music Director Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Toronto will have to wait until September 2020 for his official début as TSO Music Director, but, this October, Gustavo Gimeno took the helm for three scintillating performances featuring the TSO début of pianist Beatrice Rana. Patrons can next catch Gimeno leading the Orchestra in an all-
“Here was another intelligently programmed, unified evening of engaging music-making. The orchestra is filled with a glowing optimism and is throwing itself behind its new conductor, seemingly without hesitation.” — Ludwig van Toronto, review of Gimeno Conducts Daphnis et Chloé
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“Bringing together the past, present, and future artistic leaders of the Orchestra in one exhilarating season will offer Toronto audiences a feast for the senses.” Matthew Loden, TSO Chief Executive Officer
Conductor Emeritus Peter Oundjian
Brahms program with piano superstar Yuja Wang (April 8, 9 & 11, 2020). In addition to Davis and Gimeno, conductors who are part of the TSO family—former Music Director Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Conductor Emeritus Peter Oundjian—return to the podium this season. Saraste will lead the Orchestra and Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki in Lisiecki Plays Beethoven’s Emperor (April 1, 2, 4 & 5, 2020). Oundjian will have TSO Concertmaster Jonathan Crow as his soloist in a program featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 and Bruch’s powerful and emotive Violin Concerto No. 1 (April 29, May 1 & 2, 2020).
Introducing Our New Orchestra Members
Four musicians join the TSO Interim Artistic Director Sir Andrew Davis and the TSO were pleased to welcome an esteemed group of impeccably accomplished musicians. Originally from China, TSO Associate Concertmaster Zeyu Victor Li was accepted into the Shanghai Conservatory of Music middle school at age nine, and, at the age of 13, won First Prize at the China National Violin Competition. When he was 14 years old, he was accepted into the Curtis Institute of Music, and, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree at the age of 21, he joined the New York Philharmonic. He has served as Associate Concertmaster of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and performed at Carnegie Hall as an Assistant Concertmaster with the New York String Seminar Orchestra under Jamie Laredo. Mr. Li has performed as a soloist with renowned orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and Calgary Philharmonic. TSO Principal Viola Victor Fournelle-Blain played with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal from 2014 to 2019. He first trained as a violinist, studying at the Conservatoire de Montréal under
Johanne Arel and Yale School of Music under Ani Kavafian, before completing his training at McGill University with an Artist Diploma in viola performance under André Roy. Victor is a founding member of the Grand-Duc Trio and has collaborated with artists such as Vadim Repin, Jean-Philippe Collard, and Alexandre Tharaud. He also taught at McGill University and Université de Montréal, as well as Camp Musical des Laurentides in Quebec and Formandi Festival in Guadalajara, Mexico. A native of Quebec, TSO Associate Principal Viola Rémi Pelletier was a regular guest at the Société de musique de chambre de Québec and performed with Rendez-vous musical de Laterrière and Musica Camerata, as well as with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s chamber music series. Rémi studied with Michael Tree and Joseph De Pasquale at The Curtis Institute of Music, and with André Roy at McGill University, from which he graduated with the distinction of Outstanding Achievement in Viola Performance, and where he was principal viola of the McGill Symphony Orchestra. He joined TSO NOTEworthy • Fall 2019 • page 5
“We are delighted that these wonderful musicians have chosen the TSO to be their home for the coming season.” Sir Andrew Davis, TSO Interim Artistic Director
the New York Philharmonic in July 2013 and previously served in the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal beginning in 2007. TSO Violin Yolanda Bruno is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, most recently winning the 2017 Isabel Overton Bader Violin Competition and being named one of CBC’s 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30. Raised in Ottawa, Yolanda completed studies with Jonathan Crow at McGill University and later with David Takeno at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, UK. Yolanda has performed across North America and Europe including solos with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, L’Orchestre Métropolitain, the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, and the London Mozart Players. In 2018, Yolanda was appointed concertmaster of the Kingston Symphony Orchestra.
Fall with the TSYO
The Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra kicks off its 46th season The Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra took the stage on November 24 for their first performance of the season at George Weston Recital Hall. TSO RBC Resident Conductor & TSYO Conductor Simon Rivard guided the young musicians through an emotionally charged program including Mussorgky’s St. John’s Eve on Bald Mountain, Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. 2018/19 TSYO Concerto Competition winner Samuel Kerr shined during his featured role in Ney Rosauro’s Concerto No. 1 for Marimba. You can catch the TSYO in three more performances this season, including their annual side-by-side performance with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thomson Hall, led by former Music Director Jukka-Pekka Saraste. Last season’s other Concerto Competition winners, TSYO Violin Claire Hur and TSYO Cello Eugene Ye,
TSYO members commute to Toronto every weekend for rehearsals from as far as Newmarket, Oshawa, Hamilton, and Buffalo.
TSO RBC Resident Conductor & TSYO Conductor Simon Rivard and TSO Chief Executive Officer Matthew Loden greet the new members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra at their first rehearsal
will also have the opportunity to perform as soloists this season. Eugene will perform during the TSO’s The Composer Is Dead concerts as part of the Relaxed Performances and Young People’s Concerts Series, while Claire will be featured during the TSYO winter concert. Just before the holidays in December, TSYO members will have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Concerto Competition. Participants will perform for a jury consisting of TSYO faculty members and TSO musicians, and the event is free and open to the public.
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2019/20 TSYO Season Highlights Concerto Competition Dec 9, Knox College, University of Toronto TSYO & Claire Hur Feb 9, George Weston Recital Hall Side-by-side concerts with the TSO Apr 1 & 2, Roy Thomson Hall TSYO 46th Season Finale May 3, Roy Thomson Hall
Orchestra Librarian Quiz
Test your music knowledge with TSO Principal Librarian Gary Corrin Gary Corrin has been the Principal Librarian of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since 1992. The orchestra librarian’s responsibility is to prepare the music material from which the onstage musicians will perform. Think you could be up to the job? Here’s a sample of the kinds of questions you could be asked in the application test!
EDITIONS 1. Dvořák Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op.88 was originally published under what title? What other symphonies of Dvořák share this problem? 2. All the Mahler symphonies may be purchased in their original editions, or rented (at a much higher cost) in their critical editions. What might influence the librarian’s decision to rent or buy?
FURTHER CLARIFICATION In many instances, being given the composer and title of a work is not definitive information. 3. Describe why each of the following titles requires further identification: a. Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5 b. Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 2 c. Mozart: Symphony No. 40, K. 550 d. Strauss: Voices of Spring e. Stravinsky: The Firebird
ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE PRACTICE 4. What is the problem with the clarinet parts in Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique?
5. When performing Respighi’s Pines of Rome, what is the issue with the brass? What does the librarian usually do during these performances?
ANSWERS 1. Symphony No. 4. When Dvořák became famous, his earlier (unpublished) symphonies were published, necessitating renumbering. The works previously known as Symphonies 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 became Symphonies 6, 7, 5, 8, and 9, respectively. 2. Each symphony must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In conducting many of his own symphonies, Mahler made extensive revisions to some (Symphony No. 4 is a prime example). In this case, were the conductor to use the critical edition, the orchestra could not use the original parts. In the case of his Symphony No. 9, Mahler died before the work was published, so obviously made no revisions. The differences between the two editions are therefore insignificant. In this case, it is both cheaper and more practical to buy the original edition. 3. a. Brahms’s Hungarian Dances were originally composed for piano four-hands. Several were subsequently orchestrated by Brahms and others—No. 5 by Parlow and by Schmelling. b. Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2 exists in two drastically different versions: the
original edited by Soldan, and the later edited by Gavaert. The soloist must be consulted. c. Mozart Symphony No. 40 exists in an early version without clarinets and the more popular later version that includes clarinets. d. Johann Strauss Jr.’s Voices of Spring exists as a purely orchestral work and in a version for solo voice and orchestra. e. Stravinsky’s The Firebird exists in its original ballet version and in three different suites (1911, 1919, and 1949), all by Stravinsky. 4. In the final movement (“Dream of a Witches Sabbath”), the E-flat clarinet is written in the first-clarinet part. But few principal clarinetists are also the designated E-flat player. So you must copy the E-flat part to the secondclarinet part, and the second-clarinet part to the first. 5. The last movement of Respighi’s Pines of Rome calls for six offstage buccini, an antiquated Italian brass instrument. There are two soprano, two tenor, and two bass buccini—all in the key of B-flat. These are typically performed by four trumpets and two trombones. However, conductors may request flugel horns, french horns, or wagner tuben! The librarian usually gets to cue the tape of bird calls through the hall sound system concluding the third movement.
Want to personally meet Gary in the TSO library? Join us for one of our Donor Backstage Tours! See page 9 for more information.
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Donor Spotlight
Gail & Doug Todgham For Gail Todgham, long-time supporter of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, her love of classical music began with trips from her home in Windsor, travelling with her mother across the river to visit the Detroit Symphony. These trips fostered in her a love of classical music that remains to this very day. Flash forward a few years, when Gail met Doug Todgham. One of the first things they decided to do as a couple was to support the Toronto Symphony Orchestra by becoming subscribers—and they have remained subscribers for 50 years. Gail fondly remembers visiting Massey Hall for concerts while pregnant with their now-grown son and daughter. Like her mother before her, Gail and Doug passed on a love of music to their children. Both play the guitar, and one also plays the clarinet. When considering why she and Doug chose to become subscribers, and later donors to the TSO, Gail brought it back to the need for culture in daily life. “We both feel that culture is a wonderful facet of life— visual, theatrical, and musical.” Gail wishes more people knew how truly accessible classical music and the TSO are. She finds the conductors warm, and feels they make a connection with the audience. "The symphony is for everyone," says Gail.
Live performance is something that means a great deal to the Todghams, particularly with television and online platforms—which cannot replicate such experiences. As Gail put it, “A live performance is something special,” and supporting cultural institutions is important, “not just to the city, but also to culture in general.” For the Todghams, “donating is tangible evidence of how important the TSO is to us.” If you are moved to, please share your appreciation with the Todghams for their long-standing support next time you see them at a concert! We would love to hear your own story about why you choose to be part of our musical community. Contact us at giving@TSO.CA.
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Gail and Doug Todgham at the Golden Temple in Kyoto, Japan, October 2018. At another temple in Kyoto, a local man approached the Todghams and asked where they were from. When they said Toronto, he remembered the visit the TSO made to Japan under Seiji Ozawa.
“A live performance is something special. Donating is tangible evidence of how important the TSO is to us.” Gail Todgham
Bravo to Our Partners Thank you to our government partners for their leading support on behalf of the people of Toronto, Ontario, and Canada, and to the Toronto Symphony Foundation for its significant ongoing support.
Upcoming Events Donor Open Rehearsals
TORONTO SYMPHONY FOUNDATION
TSO 2019/20 SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
Observe as distinguished conductors, guest artists, and the TSO’s own talented musicians work together to prepare for a performance.
Messiah Mon, Dec 16, 2019 7:00–9:30pm
Oundjian Conducts Mahler Wed, Apr 29, 2020 10:00am–12:30pm
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Donor Backstage Tours Brass-level donors and above ($375+) Visit the music library with TSO Principal Librarian Gary Corrin, and go behind the scenes at Roy Thomson Hall with TSO Production Manager Chris Walroth. MEDIA AND PROJECT PARTNERS
Wed, Feb 26, 2020 7:00–9:00pm Tue, May 12, 2020 7:00–9:00pm
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RSVP To RSVP for a Donor Open Rehearsal or Backstage Tour, please call Patron Services at 416.598.3375 or email friends@TSO.CA.
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On behalf of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the many talented artists, students, and citizens who benefit from your gift,
Thank you for your support.
TS
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
500-145 Wellington St. W. Toronto, ON M5J 1H8
SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
Thank you
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